Jess Whitlock
A couple of years ago I was visiting a Wednesday Bible class in an area congregation. The study was in John 2:1-11, where Christ changed approximately 120 gallons of water into wine. It was a discussion-type class. One member made the observation that we must be careful not to leave the impression that all imbibing of liquor “is wrong because we have friends and neighbors who do drink on occasion.” As a visitor I thought I should wait for someone from the local congregation to correct the obvious error. However, none were forthcoming. I held up my hand and observed that Jesus Christ, “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). All those present knew that Christ was the perfect sin offering for the sins of the whole world. I then noted that Christ lived and died under the Old Testament economy. I requested that all turn with me to Habakkuk 2:15 and read: Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! (cf. Hos. 7:5).
I said that if Christ created in a miraculous manner one drop of intoxicating beverage and such was served to the wedding guests that day, then He sinned! If such be not the case, which I vehemently deny, then the Lord cannot be our Savior! The requirement for Him to die in our stead was that He must be a sinless sacrifice (Heb. 9:12-15; 10:7-17; Rom. 3:25; John 3:16; etc.). I wonder if the “sipping saints” crowd has thought about their new doctrine? If they are right then they stand without a Savior!
If their conviction is true then they stand without hope of salvation! Therefore, they had better hope that they are wrong! Of course, the Word of God will help them to see that they are dead wrong as we read in Proverbs 20:1: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” If he is not wise, then he must be otherwise!
